Audley End in Essex: the present house was built in the early 17c and extensively remodeled by Vanburgh in the 18c. Owned by the Earls of Suffolk, by Charles II for attending the races at Newmarket & later by the Barons Braybrooke, it is regarded as one of the finest Jacobean mansions in England.
We had a very good ten days in Crete in September. There is a beautiful new archaeological museum in Chania since 2021.
Apparently today is #WorldOctopusDay. The Ancient Mediterranean Peoples loved the imagery of sea-creatures: fish, octopuses etc. Some Minoan vessels from Crete: 1* & 2* (16c) are realistic, but in 3* & 4** (14c) it has become more of a stylised motif. (* Heraklion Museum; ** Chania Museum)
The 11c St Sophia Cathedral in Kjiv inspired by Ag Sophia in Constantinople; much of the work was done by craftsmen from that city. Examples of the striking mosaics in the #Byzantine style: The Annunciation (the 2 figures are on adjacent columns); Church Fathers; the Eucharist; the High Priest Aaron
The nearby St Nicholas Church is a popular venue for weddings. One was taking place when we were there.
#RevisitingCrete: Agia Triada a small Palace (c1600 BC) near Phaistos, with later Mycenean age buildings. The Mycenean Agora & the stepped approach road; finds now in the Heraklion Museum include a clay model of the descent of the Goddess (15c) & this splendid sarcophagus(14c). AncientBluesky
Four of the episodes in the Creation Narrative in the splendid #byzantinemosaics (12/13c) of the Cathedral in Monreale, Sicily: the 4th, 5th & 6th days, & the Creation of Eve. #mosaicmonday ByzantineBlueSky
#RevisitingCrete: a chance to re-engage with the Minoan Bronze Age. Phaistos with its palace was the 2nd largest city of the period. A general view & the West Court; & 2 finds now in the Heraklion Museum: the Phaistos Disc & a vase with an early depiction of a subject from nature. AncientBluesky.
Yesterday we visited the remarkable St Mary's Church in Grandtully, Perthshire. The painted ceiling, centred on a representation of Death dates to c.1636, in a period when Charles I was encouraging the reintroduction of decoration into Scottish Churches.
